Angie Garcia mixes a batch of masa in preparation for making tamales with her mother, Angelica Garcia-Randle. The pair have made tamale making a holiday tradition.

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Tamales are central to holiday celebrations in the Garcia-Randle family.

The annual tamale assembly anchors Angelica Garcia-Randle to her East Los Angeles roots. Her husband, the Rev. Cameron Randle, grew up in Kansas with a Mexican-American stepfather, and tamales are also a highly anticipated part of his family's Christmas tradition.

The Garcia-Randle family relocated to Virginia's Eastern Shore after Randle accepted a position as rector for St. George's Parish, which encompasses St. George's Episcopal Church in Pungoteague and St. James' in Accomac. ...